STAFF SPOTLIGHT: MIKE THORP

THE RATTLE AND ROAR OF THE TRACTOR COMES TO A COMPLETE HALT,

HE LEAPS OFF THE TRACTOR STILL REVERBERATING WITH ENERGY FROM THE MACHINE.

WITH A GRIN ON HIS FACE THAT SEEMS TO STRETCH WIDER THAN HIS FLOPPY SUN HAT,

YOU CAN TELL PRETTY EASILY THAT THIS MAN FEELS THE JOY OF THIS PLACE, THIS FARM.

With an honest and hard work ethic and a 6th generation farmer, Mike’s dedication his family’s legacy of agriculture shines here at Spade & Plow. As one of its earliest pioneers, Mike has been plowing the way for organic farming for over 40 years. His day to day activities are brimming with knowledge of agriculture and strong relationships with a farming community he’s built with a lifetime of organic farming.

His commitment to growing organically started at a young age. After graduating high school, he started his own organic farm and eventually went on to work for larger corporations in organic agriculture strengthening his expertise in large-scale crop production and ground management.

He’s played a founding role in establishing the Spade & Plow farm alongside his two sons, now 7th generation farmers, Sam and Nick. As a natural teacher, Mike has been sharing his passion for farming with his two sons their whole lives. From raising hogs on their family farm to teaching them to earn a wage from farm work since age 10, he has instilled the intuitive knowledge and values of farming to help both his sons succeed in finding their own strengths and passion for agriculture. There’s no doubt, that starting this farm all together, was what they were meant to do.

As the father figure in so many aspects of running the farm, Mike oversees the farming operation by making sure every crop has the right growing conditions to thrive. After breaking ground in 2015, three years later, the farm is abundant with tomatoes, melons, squash, lettuces, and so many more crops year-round. With his two sons, Mike spearheads the mission to preserve the legacy of agriculture here in Santa Clara County while cultivating a love for organic farming both with his family and the Spade & Plow community.